Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Barral 01-09-07, 10:25 AM	I'm currently playing a Fighter 1 / Dragon Shaman 2 Character in an Eberron Campaign. A Question arose concerning the Aura "Energy Shield", which is as follows: In the rules for the "Energy Shield" it is stated, that opponents striking the DS or allies within the aura's reach will be dealt 2xAura Bonus Points of Energy Damage according to the type of Totem Dragon. Now, what does "strike" mean exactly? a) attempting to hit - successful or no? b) hitting = overcoming the AC including armour? c) touching = overcoming at least the "Touch"-AC or better? I think it most logical to apply alternative c), since you have to touch the Energy shield to be affected but not necessarily penetrate the actual worn armour. The PHBII doesn't clarify this and so I would like to learn how those of you playing or GM-ing a DS handle this. Thanks for your help, Barral
SiouLubb 01-09-07, 10:41 AM	Strike= making a successful to-hit roll. That to-hit roll should be either a touch attack (for things like shocking grasp) or regular to-hit against full AC (regular melee attacks). If they had meant it to be counted against touch AC for everything, they would have specified it to be so. There's a big enough difference between the two that making it count against Touch AC makes the ability substantially better than the other auras. Not what they intended and an obvious attempt on your part to be a munchkin.
Barral 01-09-07, 11:08 AM	Thanks. This is how we play it. So we must envision an aura, that spreads subcutaneously and affects only those piercing the skin :). But what happens to those only touching like with shocking grasp? Are they not affected? Hmmm..... Barral
SiouLubb 01-09-07, 11:47 AM	Thanks. This is how we play it. So we must envision an aura, that spreads subcutaneously and affects only those piercing the skin :). But what happens to those only touching like with shocking grasp? Are they not affected? Hmmm..... Barral As I stated: Strike= making a successful to-hit roll. That to-hit roll should be either a touch attack (for things like shocking grasp) or regular to-hit against full AC (regular melee attacks).
Barral 01-09-07, 12:11 PM	I read your statement. This still is slightly incoherent from the aura's point of view, don't you agree? It would have to be quite sentient to differentiate between the two kinds of attack. How do other players of Dragon Shamans achieve coherence in this regard?
SiouLubb 01-09-07, 12:25 PM	I read your statement. This still is slightly incoherent from the aura's point of view, don't you agree? It would have to be quite sentient to differentiate between the two kinds of attack. How do other players of Dragon Shamans achieve coherence in this regard? It's magic. It's already sentient enough to selectively apply to the DS's allies and not to opponents. Why would it be a stretch for the Aura to trigger only when the DS is harmed?
Harliquinn 01-09-07, 12:34 PM	It's magic. It's already sentient enough to selectively apply to the DS's allies and not to opponents. Why would it be a stretch for the Aura to trigger only when the DS is harmed? Technically the DS does not need to be harmed, only struck (successful attack roll).
Barral 01-09-07, 12:35 PM	Thanks. This is convincing. Harm being the trigger for the aura's effect has a good flavour. Being hit certainly hurts the pride, only this time it hurts back... Edit: This coincided with Harliquinns remark. But even being subject to an opponents successful attack without harm (if there is some kind of damage reduction or whatever) is unbearable from the pride's point of view :) .
Harliquinn 01-09-07, 12:35 PM	I read your statement. This still is slightly incoherent from the aura's point of view, don't you agree? It would have to be quite sentient to differentiate between the two kinds of attack. How do other players of Dragon Shamans achieve coherence in this regard? As was stated: The Energy Shield does damage whenever someone successfully makes an attack against those protected. They need not do damage, just successfully hit. Harliquinn